Java Olive, Sterculia foetida is one of approximately 300 tropical trees, of the genus sterculia, spread all around the world from Australia to Africa classified into a category called “Java Olives“. It is a large, fast growing, deciduous nut bearing species growing to 40 meters in height and 3 meters in girth.


Java Olive is a nut tree of Old and New World tropical zone. Leaves are compound with 5-7 leaflets, carried at the end of a extended stalk. Flowers are orange-red having foul-smell; flowers odor of skatol, a stench resembling manure, followed by red woody fruit about the size of a man’s fist, held on a hanging stalk.

Java Olive Fruit and Nuts

The Java Olive produces pleasant tasting, oblong nuts about 2.5cm long – a great deal resembling almonds. They are found usually in Malaysia, Philippines, China and India. They have tough parchment-like rinds which may hold back the nuts from being more commercially utilized as an edible nut crop.

The nuts are consumed raw or most commonly roasted. They have an aperient action and could also cause headaches when consumed in large quantities. When eaten in very large quantities is said to bring about miscarriage.

Oil from nuts is utilized medicinally but it is also fit for culinary purposes. For the most part it is used in lighting and in making soaps. The timber is worthy for making furniture. Java Olive exudates a gum that can be used in bookbinding.

Java Olive Propagation Methods

The plant is easily propagated from seed. Seedling grow rapidly and form long taproots. While rate of growth is fairly rapid in early stages soon slows down. The tree demands light and needs a lot of space for proper development.

java olives, Sterculia foetida

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